THE GEEAT-BILLED TODY. 



155 



JAVAN TODY —Exiryl&vmiis Javanicus. 



wooded lands of its native country, and there taking up its residence near the swampy 

 grounds that are often found within the precincts of vast forests. 



It is rather variable in its plumage ; 

 some specimens having a black bar across 

 the chest. In all cases it is a striking- 

 bird, owing to the forcible contrast between 

 the deep velvet purple of the back and 

 the bright golden yellow with which it is 

 relieved. Another species, belonging to 

 the same genus, the Hooded Euryla'imus 

 {Eiiryla/imus ochromalus), is still more 

 beautiful, on account of the delicate rose 

 hue with which its throat is tinted, and 

 the bold black, wliite, and yellow marking 

 of the remainder of the plumage. 



Although a very handsome bird, it 

 does not equal the preceding species in the 

 brilliancy of its plumage. The general 

 colour is a deep rich purple, diversified by 

 yellow, black, and brown. The yellow is 

 chiefly seen in the coverts and edges of 

 the wing, and the tips of the tail-coverts. 

 The forehead, tail-coverts, and tail feathers 

 are black, with the exception of a white 

 mark upon the quill feathers of the tail. 



The Geeat-billed Tody has been 

 placed by some authors in the genus Eury- 

 la'imus, together with the Javan Tody, but 

 in the catalogue of the British Museum it is 

 separated into a new genus under the title 

 of Cymbirhynchus, or Boat-billed, in allu- 

 sion to the singular form and shape of its 

 beak. The specific title of Macrorhynchus 

 is also given in allusion to the same pecu- 

 liarity, and signifies Long-billed. 



It is rather a thickly made bird, pos- 

 sessing a stout, heavy-looking body, which 

 harmonises well with the great boat-shaped 

 beak. The ciiriously-shaped bill is very 

 large, thick, and strong, very wide at its 

 base, well arched above, and hooked at 

 the point. Both mandibles are about the 

 same length, and the colour is blue. Tlie 

 bird is an inhabitant of the Indian Archi- 

 pelago, and is most numerously found in 

 the interior of Sumatra, where it may be 

 seen haunting the banks of rivers and 

 searching for its food, wliich consists 

 chiefly of insects, worms, and various 

 aquatic creatures. Its nest is inge- 

 niously constructed of slender twigs 

 woven into a nearly globular form, and 



is fastened to the extremity of some convenient branch which overhangs the water, so that 

 the young and eggs are safe from the attacks of the many enemies which assail them in 

 these regions. The eggs are from two to four in number, and of a pale blue tint. 



GREAT-BILLED TODY.—CymhirhyiicJms macrorhyvxhvs. 



